Buddhist vs Hindu build-off

This morning we woke up at 4:30am to get ready for our trip to Borobudur, Mendut Temple, and Prambanan.

Firstly, we took a minibus to Borobudur, which is an amazing Buddhist temple constructed in the 9th century AD.

We took a guide and learnt all about the symbolism of the temple and in short, it shows the journey of Buddha from birth through to enlightenment, sharing the guiding principles along the way.

This monument was actually lost and destroyed by various volcanic eruptions and only rediscovered and renovated after 1814.

It’s like the biggest, most complex jigsaw puzzle ever attempted. Plus, it took 10 years and they still have several 10,000’s pieces left over.

Also, every time Merapi erupts, quite regular of late, it is buried in ash and they need to clean it all! Don’t fancy that job!

Afterwards we went to Mendut Temple, which houses a 3m tall Buddha. Some believe it was supposed to be put on top of Borobudur, but they couldn’t work out how to get it up there. I can see them scratching their heads and saying ‘Oh Bugger’, all those years ago!

Finally on our thoroughly cultural day, we went to Prambanan, which is a massive Hindu temple complex, built, would you believe it, in the 9th century AD.

Once again my cultural mind could see the Hindus and the Buddhists having a build off, the Buddhists finishing first but the Hindu’s saying 'you ain’t done till you get that big Buddha fellow on top, suckers!'

written by  chrischarly on June 4, 2011 from Borobudur, Indonesia
from the travel blog: Chris and Charly's Passage through SE Asia
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